Nelson Wheatcroft (1852–1897) was an English-born actor and drama teacher. He famously ran a drama school, at the Charles Frohman Empire Theatre, in the late Victorian era. He was married to Adeline Stanhope (1856–1935). Their son Stanhope Wheatcroft (1888–1966) was a silent film actor. He was born Christopher William Wheatcroft to William Wheatcroft and Emily Susanna Nelson. He changed his first name to his mother's maiden name. He met Jane Elizabeth Rogers in 1875 and they had five children two of whom died in infancy. While his family lived in London, Wheatcroft toured the country.